Nevada City's Jason Moeschler, one of the area's top mountain bike racers, cruises down a local trail. Moeschler is a professional racer who trains on the many world-class trails in Nevada County. -

Although it was only 1977 when a North Bay cyclist named Joe Breeze bolstered 10 bike frames specifically for off-road riding, it's hard to imagine a time before mountain bikes.

By 1984 the sport had exploded, innumerable companies were producing their own mountain bikes, and a stagnant biking industry had been revived.

Call it a perfect fit - Nevada County, growing rapidly itself and home to a vast network of scenic trails, and mountain biking linked synergistically. Today, Nevada County is one of the most popular trail-riding destinations in the United States, lending credence to the oft-repeated local belief that the sport that Marin made has matured in our mountains.

"Mountain biking used to be for the no-money, gypsy types that ate Spaghetti O's from the can and slept in their cars," said Duane Strawser, co-owner of Tour of Nevada City Bike Shop and a mountain biker since 1984. "Now you've got a working class, professional crowd with money and they're all staying in bed and breakfasts."

This is not to say the sport has reached some complacent middle-aged plateau. For alongside the endless miles of singletrack is an active community of like-minded aficionados, and a bevy of local talent.

"In general, since 1984 ,the volume of mountain bikers has gone up locally, more residents are participating and it's happened because we've had a rare niche of high quality riders and they, in their turn, have influenced the younger guys," said Strawser. "I think this is such a great area because of the variety of trails and the temperate climate. With the exception of a few days and maybe a few months in Sierra County you can ride year round. And we've got everything from beginner to intermediate to pro level. Basically, there are trails to suit every rider."

The trails have it all - canopies of old-growth timber, picturesque mountain streams and enough rocks, roots and roundabouts to make the most hard core mountain biker blush.

"These are mainly old mining trails and waterway trails for old mines. These have been there forever. They've just evolved into hiking, biking and equestrian trails," Strawser said. "There's a huge amount of raw mileage out there. We have a huge resource."

Maturity entails responsibility. Perhaps no athletes are more in touch with issues of environmental impact than mountain bikers.

"Without a doubt the majority of mountain bikers are environmentalists. Not extremists, but people that are actively involved," said Strawser. "You do it hard core because you believe in it." ... We've had a rare niche of high quality riders in this area," said Duane Strawser, himself a former racing pro. "These riders have, in their turn, influenced the younger guys as mentors."

Don Davis: This Nevada County native won the first (unofficial) World Mountain Bike championships in 1985. Became a top executive for the Bay Area¹s Bell Helmets.

Duane Strawser: Co-owner of Tour of Nevada City Bike Shop, Strawser was a professional mountain bike racer from 1992-96; earning several top-10 finishes.

Frank Trotter: a Nevada Union graduate hailing from North San Juan, Trotter raced in the late-80s and early-90s. Aside from winning the Nevada State Downhill Championship in Reno, his legacy is as a team mechanic for top racing teams < Marin, Trek, Gary Fisher.

Galen Shumaker: 26-year-old, NU grad is one of the top amateur riders on the West Coast, finishing third in the expert class point standings. Also a formidable mechanic.

Jason Moeschler: Generally considered the premier mountain bike racer this area has ever put out. A World Mountain Bike Championship competitor from 1996-98, Moeschler was the No. 1 Junior racer in the U.S. in 1997. Currently a member of the Kestrel professional racing team.

Henry O'Donnell and Evan Anderson: Up-and coming 14-year-olds, Anderson won last year¹s Knobular Point Series (12 to 18 age group) and was the top American finisher in March's Napa World Cup. Downieville-native O¹Donnell, nicknamed ³The Natural² won last year¹s Downieville Classic.

Annual mountain biking industry sales (from 1998): $5.4 billion
Americans who own a mountain bike (through 1998): 59.2 million
Average age of a mountain bike purchaser: 24
Gender ratio of purchasers in 1999: 54% male; 46% female.
Gender ratio in 1989: 90% male; 10% female.
Average frequency of participation: 25 days per year. Reasons for mountain biking: 82 % recreation; 26% fitness; 10% commuting.
Average age of a mountain bike purchaser at Tour of Nevada City Bicycle Shop: 33.5 Gender ratio of mountain bike purchasers at Tour of Nevada City :70% male; 30% female (³The number of local women mountain bikers is skyrocketing,² said owner Duane Strawser.²)

Beginner: Banner Mountain Trail. Distance: 10 miles. Time of ride: 60 to 90 minutes Location: Begin at Sacramento Street and highway 49. Take Railroad Avenue to Gold Flat Road. Turn left, then right at Banner Mountain Trail and follow this to the top of Banner Mountain. Return via Banner Lava Cap and Gracie Roads. Description: A great ride for beginners.

Intermediate: Lower Pioneer Trail Distance: 10 miles Time: 60 to 90 minutes Location: Park at Harmony Ridge Market and ride eastward on the Pioneer Trail as it runs parallel to Highway 20. Turn around at the White Cloud campground and return. Description: This wooded singletrack is marked with diamond markers and features a moderate climb of approximately 500 feet.

Expert: The Round Mountain Trail Distance: 20 miles Time: 2 to 3 hours Location: Take Round Mountain Road to the Round Mountain Trailhead. Turn left at the South Yuba Trail, left at the Lake Vera-Purdon Road, left again at Rector Road, left at Rock Creek Road. Return on Round Mountain Road. Description: This is a fun and challenging single-track with views of the South Yuba River.